Finding private land, unguided hunts with lodging is hard to do in Colorado. Recently, one of my favorite outfitters acquired just such a place. It is located in GMU 62 which borders trophy unit 61. Hunters will have exclusive use of 1000 acres of private land. The ranch borders national forest and hunters can walk from the ranch onto the public land and hunt there also. The roads into the national forest have been gated to prevent vehicle access which helps cut down on pressure. Hunters can hunt elk, deer or do an elk / deer combo. Hunters may also buy a bear license ($100) and shoot a bear if they see one.

The cabin can sleep 4 comfortably with a maximum of 6. It has running water, propane / wood heat and propane cooking. A minimum of 3 is needed to book and the ideal group size would be 3-4. There is a good road to the cabin. ATV’s are allowed – with restrictions.

The property has a resident elk herd and also picks up new elk in the later rifle seasons. Either-sex elk archery licenses are over-the-counter as are bull tags for 2nd and 3rd rifle seasons. Muzzleloader bull tags are via the draw - last year it took 3 points to draw the muzzy tag. 1st rifle season had 72% draw odds with no preference points and 4th season had 87% draw odds with no preference points.

License cost is $662 for bull elk and $397 for deer plus a $10 habitat stamp. Anyone born after January 1, 1949 must have a hunter education card to apply – Colorado accepts hunter education cards from other states. The application period is March - early April but over-the-counter 2nd and 3rd season rifle bull tags can be bought prior to the start of season either online or in person at licensing agents.

Includes orientation from guide, exclusive hunting on the ranch and use of the cabin. Hunters are responsible for game retrieval. ATV’s may be used for game retrieval on the ranch.

Hunt private ranches in SW Colorado that provide very high odds of success. This area has excellent numbers of elk and deer. This is not a place to kill a monster elk but a place that has a good number of legal bulls with an occasional 300 or better bull. Deer are also present in good numbers and the properties hold respectable bucks that most hunters would be happy to take.

This combo hunt is held during archery, muzzleloader, 2nd and 3rd rifle season. They also hunt elk only (no deer) during 1st and 4th rifle seasons.

In 2017, private land deer tags for 2nd and 3rd rifle seasons were 100% draw odds with no preference points. Unit-wide tags required one point to draw 2nd season and 4 points to draw 3rd. Archery buck tags had 100% draw odds with no preference points and muzzleloader buck tags required one point to draw.

License cost is $641 for bull elk and $389 for deer plus a $10 habitat stamp. Anyone born after January 1, 1949 must have a hunter education card to apply – Colorado accepts hunter education cards from other states. Application deadline is early April but over-the-counter tags can be purchased when you arrive for the hunt.

(This is the same outfitter that offers Hunts #49-MD and #49-E for mule deer and elk separately.)

Many hunters choose to do a combo hunt and hunt for two species on one trip. The hunt offers excellent odds to harvest both an elk and mule deer. These combo hunts are held in archery season, the first 5 days of the second rifle season and the first 5 days of the third rifle season.

Non-resident license fees are $601 for elk and $361 for deer. A $10 habitat stamp is also required. Application deadline is April 1. Anyone born after January 1, 1949 must have a hunter education card to apply - Colorado accepts hunter education cards from other states. Application deadline for the deer tag is also April 1.

Please look at Hunt #49-MD and Hunt #49-E1 for more specifics such as hunting methods and license information.

Hunt southeastern BC in the heart of the Rockies for Rocky Mountain elk. Hunting is by horseback and on foot.

This is one of those rare opportunities to hunt elk during the rut with a rifle. Archery hunts also occur during the early part of the rut. Bulls must have at least 6 points on one side to harvest. Shot opportunity has been approximately 75% on 6×6 or better bulls.

Elk are the primary species on this combo hunt and once your bull is down, the emphasis changes to mule deer. Past clients who have killed their elk early in the hunt, have enjoyed a 70-80% success rate on mule deer. Mule deer must have at least 4 points on one side. Average score is right around 160 B&C with some better.

Black bear can also be harvested at no additional cost, except of the license fee. Black bear numbers are down but there is still a decent chance of seeing some. Color phases include blond, various browns and black.

This is a hunt where a client’s physical condition has a great bearing on his success. The terrain is steep and elevation is 6000 - 9000 feet. Elderly hunters and hunters not in “mountain shape” can be accommodated and can hunt out of stands overlooking meadows.

The main camp can be reached by truck and has multiple cabins, shower house and even a cabin for a couple. Other cabins are reached by horse and are used as needed.

Hunters can fly into Cranbrook, B.C. and be met at the airport or fly into Kalispell, MT., rent a vehicle and drive 2 1/2 hours to meet the outfitter. Another option is to fly into Spokane, WA and drive to meet the outfitter. Airfare at Spokane is usually more affordable.

Private ranch hunt combo hunt for deer and elk. This hunt offered on a very limited basis — only four hunters per week.

A high % of the bulls score from 300-350 B&C with some larger and the mule deer 150-170 B&C with an occasional 180+. Considering that the shot opportunity has been over 90%, this hunt is a great option for the hunter looking to harvest two western trophies on one trip.

Hunting method is primarily glassing and then spot and stalk.

It is recommended that hunters apply for a preference point for elk ($50) during the July 1 - September 30 period. Having the point greatly increases the odds of being drawn. We will assist with applying for the preference point. It is also recommended to allow the outfitter to apply for you in the elk draw. It may take several years to obtain this tag. No preference points are needed to draw the mule deer tag.

Application dates are January 1-31 for elk and Jan. 1 - May 31for deer. Elk licenses are drawn usually drawn around February 22 so a hunter desiring the combo hunt can wait to see if he draws the elk license before applying for deer which is 100% draw odds. The outfitter will also put you in for the deer draw after you draw for elk. A hunter’s safety card is required for rifle hunters if born after January 1, 1966 - not needed for archery hunters. Crossbows are legal to use during archery and firearm season.

Includes meals, lodging, 2 hunters/guide, airport pick-up and drop-off, transportation of meats and mounts to processing plant or taxidermist.